Loose Women star Denise Welch has expressed her excitement about the upcoming release of a new book close to her heart, which is focused on Hirschsprung’s Disease. Taking to her Instagram page after appearing on the ITV show on Monday, the 65-year-old reflected on the worrying time her son Louis suffered from the rare condition himself and had to undergo life-saving surgery.
Hirschsprung’s disease is a condition that affects the large intestine (colon) and causes problems with passing stool. It is present at birth (congenital) as a result of missing nerve cells in the muscles of the baby’s colon.
After Louis was treated for the disease at Alder Hey, Denise has since become a campaigner for the charity to help raise awareness and is now a supporter of Gemma Keir’s new book titled The Abilities In Me.
Alongside a picture of the book, she shared: “The @theabilitiesinmefoundation book I’ve been waiting for in is it’s final stages!! My youngest son Louis @healytymd was born with Hirschsprung Disease. He was treated and operated on @alderhey_hospital and is a testament to how you can have a great life as a Hirschsprung survivor.
“My youngest son Louis @healytymd was born with Hirschsprung Disease. He was treated and operated on @alderhey_hospital and is a testament to how you can have a great life as a Hirschsprung survivor.”
She added: “In the 5th to 12th week of pregnancy a part of the bowel doesn’t form properly which causes major problems of course.”
Denise went on to say that the book will be “a great comfort” to children and parents alike if they get a diagnosis.
While the post was focused on the new book, many of her 422,000 followers used the opportunity to share their thoughts on her clash with Dickie Arbiter, which occured just hours before on Loose Women.
Royal expert Dickie joined the panel to provide some commentary on King Charles’ recent developments, including his return to work after his cancer diagnosis, as well as the Princess of Wales’ cancer announcement.
Things took a turn when Denise took issue with Dickie who claimed Harry has “been rubbishing the family since he walked out in 2020”.
Noting the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s various interviews and his memoir Spare, he continued: “We had in 2021, Oprah [Winfrey], we had at the end of 2022, six hours of Netflix, and then we had at the beginning of 2023, 600 pages of Spare.”
Denise, who is a regular supporter of Harry and Meghan, defensively chimed in and asked if he had ever thought about why the Prince did what he did.
She went on to say she was “sick to death” of people criticising him and the former Suits star, including Dickie.
As the studio audience applauded Denise’s speech, Arbiter replied that he was “not going to argue” with her and suggested that the panellist had read “too many tabloid stories”.
“No, I haven’t, and don’t disrespect me for saying that,” she hit back. “Because I have read a lot about Meghan before, as well, and I think it’s a disgrace, the way she’s treated.”
Following more awkward interaction between the pair and an attempt from Coleen Nolan to stop it, the conversation soon concluded with Arbiter stating that he believed the Sussexes would need to make a public apology for a reconciliation, while Denise said the couple may not feel the need to say sorry.
Sharing their thoughts on her latest post, one wrote: “Denise, you have a new fan in me. Thank you for speaking up about the unjust trashing of Megan and Harry. Please don’t stay silent. You spoke the truth.”
“Denise… you’re honest, eloquent and fearless! Please don’t ever change… Love you for that,” a second commented.
A third typed: “Well done Denise on Loose Woman today, everything you said was true and said so eloquently.”
